The poem in the 8th century wrote that NARA is a province with supreme beauty enclosed by mountains. IKARUGA began as the temple town of Japan's oldest temple, Horyu-ji Temple, and preserves a rural landscape surrounded by mountains. NARAMACHI was a post town on the grounds of Gangoji Temple in the 18th century. Locals continue to make efforts to preserve the old townscape now. We feel the quiet and rich charm while strolling through the old town area.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel or any convenient place in Nara City center.
Ikaruga (JR Horyuji sta.)
>Horyuji Temple (18.7ha/46 acres)/complex building group originally built by the order of the emperor and Prince Shotoku in the 7th century, the oldest wooden structure in the world, conveys the vibe of the past to the present.
>Cyuguji Temple/originally built by the order of Prince Shotoku’s mother, who was the model of the principal image with a charming smile (so-called Archaic Smile)
>Stroll through the rice fields while admiring the roof tiles and three-story pagodas of temples (Hokiji Temple and Horinji Temple) in the distance.
Todaiji Temple (JR Nara sta.)
>Todaiji Temple (6.9ha/17 acres)/complex building group originally built by the order of the emperor in the 8th century
#Great Buddha Hall/the statue of the Great Buddha and another 4 statues of Buddha are enshrined
Naramachi
>Gngoji Temple/originated from Japan's first Buddhist temple, built in the 6th century, and moved to the present place together with Heijyo-Palace in the 8th century.
>Naramachi old town (49.3ha/122 acres)/originated from a temple town of Gangoji Temple. In the Edo period, it flourished as a commercial, industrial, and entertainment town. locals preserve traditional townhouses and open them to the public
e.g., Mechanism Toy Museum/touch and play with the classic toys, Bustling House/showcase of the old townhouse built in 1917
Ending Point
At your hotel or any convenient place in Nara City center
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
>guide fee, hotel pick up in Nara City center
>transportation fee (you and guide/per adult)/train and bus (some 1000JPY)
>admission fee (you/per adult)/Horyuji Temple (2000JPY), Cyuguji Temple(600JPY), Gangoji Temple(700JPY)
>short break/lunch/dinner
>The deer in Nara Park are sacred animals, so please treat them kindly.
>Please wear comfortable shoes for walking.
>The above extra fees are often asked with CASH on the spot, so please bring some JPY.
>This tour is not insured, so I hope you get travel insurance.
>I mainly work in the daytime (e.g. from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm)
>If you want a listed/customized tour, please message me in advance. I will confirm facility availability in the itinerary dates: opening dates/hours, need a reservation or not.
>Please note that my tours are leisurely, on foot and by public transport.
>My tour schedule may change if transport or tourist spots are crowded.
Thank you for visiting my page.
I’d love to guide you to an ancient capital city with over 1,000 years of urban development history and a 100-year film history. I grew up in OSAKA and studied in KYOTO. Then, I worked in TOKYO and Osaka as an urban planning expert for national and local governments for 20 years. I have been striving to create cities where residents can live safely and comfortably and where visitors are attracted by their charms.
Quitting my career, I became a freelancer and a National Licensed Consulting Engineer (Urban and Regional Planning). I inspect urban development sites and film locations at home and abroad, and post about the charm of these picturesque towns on social media (90 cities in 30 countries up to now).
Present-day Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara formed a metropolitan area centered on the Imperial Palace from the 7th to the 19th centuries, serving as the political, economic, and cultural center. Residents still cherish their connections with local temples and shrines, continue to host local events, maintain traditional lifestyles, and protect their cultural heritage.
These three cities offer a unique landscape each season: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, autumn foliage, and snowy scenery in winter. They are also easily accessible within a 1-hour train ride, with an international airport (KANSAI) and seaports (OSAKA, KOBE).
I am not only a National Licensed Guide Interpreter but also a General Travel Service Manager. I create an ideal customized tour for you, combining your preferences with my knowledge of transportation options and sightseeing spots.
I look forward to hearing from you.
James K.
“Nara park and Todai-Temple Tour”
Wonderful tour with Yosshi. Really enjoyed both Nara Park and the Todai-ji Temple. Yosshi customized the tour for our needs, and made the travel to and from Kyoto seamless.
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Yosshi S.
Hello James san Thank you for your heartwarming review. I was so happy to see you and your mother enjoying the deer in Nara Park. I was also touched by how much you always cherish your mother, and I learned a lot from you. I'm glad I was able to show you around Nara Park and the Great Buddha Hall. On the train ride there and back, you and your mother told me stories about your town and asked me many questions, which broadened my horizons. I hope you and your mother are in good health. I look forward to seeing you again. Thank you. Yosshi
Chuck Y.
“A very nice day in Osaka”
Yoshi was knowledgeable and happy to show the city to us at a leisurely pace. A very nice man who did a great job of speaking at a loud enough level so we could all hear him which was appreciated. He was very hospitable and we appreciated that.
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Yosshi S.
Dear Chuck Thank you for sending me such a warm review. Osaka is a commercial city, so Osaka citizens are interactive and talkative. We looked at citizens' lives while strolling to the bustling shopping streets and the OKONOMIYAKI place. At the Rose Garden, we could see the harmony with roses, the rivers, and the skyscrapers. Thank you for including me as one of your close friends during the tour and for the topics we shared. I hope Osaka will be one of your friends' fond memories. Regards Yosshi
John M.
“Kyoto visit to Imperial Palace gardens and tour of Palace State Guest House, with a special tour of the guest house. Also, Philosopher’s Walk, national Treasure Silver Palace, and Kyoto Aqueduct. ”
We had a very high quality time with Yosshi S for our visit in Kyoto. He was well prepared from both experience and study, and gave us rich background into each site to result in a strong connection with Kyoto’s history, its rich spiritual traditions and its very special people living and working in Kyoto. We are grateful for this day and would recommend Yosshi S. with our highest regard.
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Yosshi S.
Dear John, thank you for your review. We had the experience of seeing how to treat guests at the state guesthouse and having a lunch of Kyoto pickled sushi at a shopping street where ordinary people shop. The Philosopher's Path is a course where I often walked with friends during my student years. Walking with John on the tour, I got back the feeling of being a student. Unfortunately, I could not become a philosopher, but I learned the philosophy of "going my way" and became a guide. Thank you very much. Yosshi
$234/ per group
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